Carton feeding machine



Oct. 18, 1932'.

C. F. RICHARD CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3nventor C15? MM Oct. .18, 1932. c; RICHARD 1,883,231

CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zhmentor I ca/nuvbo n/ Mm *n/M/mw Gttornegs.

Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO JOHNSON AUTO- MATIC SEALER 00., LTD., OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, A PARTNERSHIP ASSOCIA- TION LIMITED OF MICHIGAN i CARTONFEEDING MACHINE Applicationfiled April 2,

This invention relates to carton feeding machines, and while capable of general use, is particularly adapted for feeding cartons to a carton-sealing machine or other instrumentality to be fed.

One object of the invention is to provide a I carton feeding machine which operates continuously to supply cartons in like manner to the carton sealing machine or other instrumentality with which said carton feeding machine is associated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which enables cartons to be collapsed and reopened to eliminate the spring. thereof while the cartons are supported and advanced by traveling pockets or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compactly arranged carton feeding machine which is highly efficient in operation and adapted tobe readily associated with a carton sealing machine or other instrumentality to be fed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which is simple in construction, mexpenslve to manufacture and install, and capable of being operated with minimum attention on the part of the machine attendant.

Other objects of the invention will appear from following description thereof, and in order to more clearly understand the invention, reference may-be had to the appended drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the inventive idea.

In said drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a carton sealing machine equipped with mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, with parts omitted, of the carton sealing machine and mechanism shown in Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail perspective view of carton collapsing means shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views, said drawings 1929. Serial No. 351,930.

show a carton sealing machine, a plurality or series of traveling pockets for carrying cartons to be successively transferred to said machine,'and a feeding mechanism for supplying cartons successively to the traveling pockets. These instrumentalities will be described in the order named and are preferably associated in the manner illustrated.

The carton sealing machine, which in accordance with the present invention could be replaced by a conveyor or other instrumentality to be fed, includes a supporting frame comprised at each side thereof by an upper frame member 5 and a lower frame member 6. Th frame members at opposite sides of the machine are connected together by upper cross members 7, 8 and lower cross member 9, 10, the latter having secured to opposite ends thereof, legs 11, 12 which support the framework justdescribed and are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine foundation 13.

Bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at 14, 14, on an extension 15 of one of the legs 12, is a support 16 for an electric motor 17 that is driven by electrical current supplied thereto from any suitable source. The operation of this motor and the instrumentalities driven thereby may be controlled by a switch, or said instrumentalities may be separately controlled by a clutch. In either event, it is not necessary to illustrate and describe the controlling device or devices, as the construction and operation of the same are well understood in the art.

Fixed on the armature shaft 18 of the motor 17, is a pulley 19 around which passes a belt 20 that also passes around a pulley 21. Tension may, if desired, be maintained on the belt 20 by a tension roller 22 journaled on a bracket 23 that is bolted or'otherwise suitably secured to the framework of the machine. The pulley 21 is fixed on a shaft 24 that is journaled in suitable bearings on the machine framework and extends transversely thereof. Fixed on the shaft 24 is a pulley 25 around which passes a belt 26 that also passes around a pulley 27 at the top of the machine. The pulley 27 is fixed on a shaft 28 journaled in suitable bearings on the machine framework and extending transversely thereof, and tension may, if desired, be maintained on the belt 26, by a roller 26 carried on an arm 26" supported in any suitable manner on the machine framework. A

Fixed on the shaft 28 is a pulley 29 around which passesa belt 30 that also passes around a pulley 31 fixed on a shaft 32 journaled in suitable hearings on the machine framework and extending transversely thereof at one end of the machine. The tension on the belt 30 may be regulated as desired, by a roller 30 which engages said belt and is adjustably supported on a bracket 30" bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cross member 8.

ings on a spacing member 37 to which are secured the adjacent ends of upper and lower conveyor Ways 38 and 39, respectively. These ways are secured to the cross members 7, .8, and said ways extend centrally and longitudinally of the side frames 5, 6 and pro ect rearwardly therefrom ,as clearlyshown in Fig. 1.

Fixed at intervals on the chains 34, and arranged to be guided by the ways 38, 39, are a plurality or series of continuously traveling I carton supports or forms 40 that successively have delivered thereto from the hereinafter described feeding mechanism, cartons to be sealed by the carton sealing machine. Fixed on the shaft 36 (Fig. 2) is a sprocket 41 around which passes a chain 42 that also passes around a sprocket 43. The sprocket 43 is fixed on a shaft 44 that extends in parallel relation with the previously described shafts and is journaled on a substantially triangular frame that supports the traveling pockets 58.. This frame is indicatedbroadly at 45 (Figs. 1 and and includes legs 46, 46

' bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine foundation 13, and cross members 47, 48 connecting said legs together.

Fixed on the shaft 44 is a bevel gear 49 (Fig. 2) whi'chmeshes with a similar gear -50 that is fixed on a vertical shaft 51 'jour naled in suitable hearings on the frame 45. The frame 45 also has journaled in suitable bearings thereon, shafts 52and 53 which, together with the shaft 51, are arranged in substantially triangular relation on the frame 45. Fixed on the shafts 51, 52, 53, are sprockets 54, 55, 56, respectively, and around said sprockets passes a substantially triangular chain 57 that is driven by the sprockets and has all of its reaches disposed in a substantially horizontal plane. It is obvious that these sprockets and the chain passing therearound, could be replaced by pulleys and a belt respectively, andv that said elements could be driven from a separate source of power if desired.

In any event, the chain or belt 57 is preferably driven continuously, and has fixed thereon at intervals the plurality or series of carton supporting pockets 58. These pockets are adapted to be opened and closed in a manner to be presently described, and each of said pockets is preferably constructed as follows. The pockets 58 all open outwardly from the chain or belt 57 and stand vertically with respect thereto. The side walls of each pocket are comprised by relatively movable parts 59, 60, the parts 59 being spaced vertically and fixed on a shaft 61, and the parts 60 alsobeing spaced vertically and fixed on a shaft 62. The vertical shafts 61, 62 are journaled in suitable bearings on a bracket 63 which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the chain or belt 57 and forms the rear wall of the pocket.

Encircling the shafts 61, 62, are springs 64, 65, respectively, (Figs. 1 and 3) that have their opposite ends connected with the shafts and the bracket 63. These springs act to normally close the opposed carton supporting parts 59, 60 of the pockets but yield sufliciently to provide for opening of the pockets, as by moving the opposed carton supporting parts thereof relatlvely. The springs 64, 65 further act to provide yielding movement of the opposed carton supporting parts 59, 60 so that when a carton is introduced into the pocket it willbe yieldably supported thereby.

The leading shaft 61 of each pocket has fixed on the upper end thereof an arm 66 which is provided with a roller 67. The shaft 62 of each pocket has fixed on the lower end thereof an arm 68 carrying a roller 69. During travel of the pockets, the chain or belt 57 and said pockets are guided and prevented from sagging vertically, by ways 70, 71 and 72 arranged in substantially triangular rela- 1 tion in a horizontal plane and bolted or otherw1se suitably secured on the frame 45. The ways 7 0, and therefore the pocket or pockets engaged therewith, extend in substantially parallel relation "with the shaft 44 and in proximity to carton feeding mechanism to be hereinafter described. Carried by the ways 70, 71, 72, is a rail'73 of general triangular form. The portions of this rail adjacent the ways 71 and 72 are adapted to engage the rollers 67 on the arms 66, and thereby prevent opening of the leading parts 59 of the pockets 58 while said pockets are traveling along said ways. The portion of the rail 73 adjacent the way 70, however, is bent to provide cams 74, 75 and 76 that are successively engaged by the rollers 67 to first open the leading parts 59 of the pockets, then hold said parts open while they travel past the carton feedingmechanism, and thereafter permit closing of tained in positions substantially at right angles to the brackets 63, except when said parts are opened in a manner to be hereinafter described. This normal closed position of the parts is obtained through the action of'the springs which, however, yield sufficiently to provide for collapsing and reopening of said cartons successively while they are supported by the pockets 58.

Vv hen the pockets 58 travel past the cams 7 4 and 75, the latter act on the rollers 67 to successively open the leading parts 59 of said pockets and hold them open to receive cartons from the feeding mechanism. The carton feeding mechanism may be of any suitable construction, but as herein shown, said mechanism preferably includes a carton feeder indicated broadly at 77, a Vertically and horizontally reciprocating knife 7 8 adapted to successlvely separate collapsed cartons from a stack thereof on said feeder and carry the separated cartons forwardly in succession therefrom to the successive pockets 58, and a guide for opening the cartons and comprised by curved, yieldable, elongated guide elements 79 and relatively short, slightly curved guide elements 80 arranged in spaced relation with the guide elements 79. The carton feeder 77 includes a frame comprised by side members 81, and cross members such as indicated at 82 for connecting said side members together. The feeder frame including the side members 81 and cross member 82 is mounted on suitable supports such as indicated at 82" (F ig. 3). These supports are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine foundation 13 and are connected together by upper and lower cross members 82 and 82' respectively.

J ournaled in suitable bearings on the front pairof supports 82, is a shaft 83 on which is fixed a sprocket 83. A chain 83 passing around said sprocket, is controlled and driv-- pass chains 88 driven intermittently from the shafts 83 and also passing around sprockets (not shown) 'journaled at the end of the feeder frame opposite that carrying the shafts 86. Fixed at int rvals along the chains 88 are transversely alined stops 89 in front of which may be placed followers 90. A stack of collapsed cartons 91 placed on rails 92 in front of one of the followers 90, is intermittently advanced by said follower and the chains 88 as the cartons are successively separated from the front of the stack in a manner to be presently described. The rails 92 project for wardly of the feeder under the pockets 58,- and said rails support the cartons that are delivered from the feeder into the pockets.

The cartons are successively separated from the stack by the knife 78 which moves continuously and acts to deliver acarton into each pocket 58 when the same reaches the carton feeding mechanism. This knife moves upwardly into the front carton of the stack and then forwardly to separate the carton therefrom and advance it through the opening guides 79, 80 into one of the packets 58; Thereafter, theknife moves downwardly, rearWardly and upwardly into the next Carton on the front of the stack. The last mentioned carton is then delivered by the knife through the opening guides into the next pocket 58, and these operations are repeated as the pockets successively pass the carton feeding mechanism.

The mechanism for continuously imparting the above described movements successively to the knife, is preferably comprised by the following instrumentalities. Fixed in spaced relation on the continuously driven shaft 44, are a pair of cams 93, 94 provided I therein with cam grooves 93, 94. respectively. The raising and lowering movement of the knife 78 f is derived from the cam 93 in the groove 93 of which is engaged a roller 95. This roller 95 is journaled on a lever 96 intermediate the opposite ends thereof, said lever in turn being journaled on a shaft 97 that is supported in any suitable manner on the frame 45. The free end of the lever 96 is pivotally connected with one extremity of a link 98, the opposite extremity of which is pivotally connected with the free endgof a lever 99that is fixed on a rockshaft 100 journaled in suitable bearings on the frame 45.

Fixed on the roekshaft 100 is a lever 101, the free end of which is pivotally connected with one extremity of a link 102. The opposite extremity of the link 102 is pivotally connected with a slide 103 arranged to be reciprocated vertically in a second slide 104. The slide 104 in turn is arranged to be reciprocated'horizontally in a guide 105 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cross member 82". Fixed on the upper end of the slide 103 is a holder 106 on which is pivoted, as at 107, an L-shaped bracket 108. The knife 78 is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the vertical arm of the bracket 108, the horizontal arm of said bracket extending between a set screw 109 and aspring 110 that provide for limited yielding movement of the knife when it strikes the rear wall of the carton on theinside thereof. The set screw 109 regulates the extent of yielding movement of the knife 78 and is carried by a bracket 111 secured to or formed integrally with the holder 106. The spring 110 is interposed between said holder and the horizontal arm of the bracket 108 and retained against displacement in any suitable manner.

The forward and rearward movement of the knife 78 is derived from the cam 94 in the groove 94" of which is engaged a roller 112. This roller is journaled on a lever 113 intermediate the opposite ends thereof, said lever in turn being journaled on the shaft 97 and retained against endwise displacement thereon in any suitable manner.

The free end of the lever 113 is pivotally connected with one extremity of a link 114, the opposite extremity of which is pivotally connected wlth the free end of an arm 115. The arm 115 free end pivotally connected with one ex-- tremity of a link 117. The opposite extremity of the link 117 is pivotally connected with the slide 104 to reciprocate said slide and the knife 78 forwardly and rearwardly.

It was pointed out above, that when the knife moves rearwardly it engages the rear wall of the carton on the inside thereof. In order to insure such engagement of the knife with the cartons, one flap of each carton is made shorter than the others in a manner well understood in the art and requiring no detail description. T he knife is mounted and arranged to travel at the far side of the longitudinal center line of the stack of cartons (Fig. 2) and said knife "when moved upwardly into each carton and then forwardly, engages the carton adjacent one of the fold lines so that when the carton is drawn by the knife through the guide 79, 80, opening. of the carton thereby is insured.

Asthe opened cartons are delivered successively by the knife into the successive pockets 58 traveling therepast, each carton moves with its respective pocket and swings the guide elements 79 momentarily out of the path of travel of the pocket. For this purpose, the guide elements 79 are fixed in spaced superposed relation on a hollow yieldable shaft 79. The guide elements 79 are normally retained'in the position shown in Fig.

2 by a spring 79 which has its opposite ends connected to the shaft 7 9 and a second, stationary shaft 79 on, which the formeris j ournaled. These shafts are mounted in any suitable manner on the framework of the feeder, and the spring 7 9 normally prevents movement of the gnide elements 79 when the carton is being opened thereby, but yields sufiiciently to permit the carton to swing said elements out of the way when advanced past the same by the pocket 58 which carries the carton. When the carton has been advanced by the pocket past the guide elements 79 they" parts 59 of the pocket immediatel close on the carton and-support and yiel ably grip the same as previously described.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided for recollapsing and reopening cartons while supported in the pockets, recollapsing of the cartons being desirable to eliminate the spring thereof. For this purpose, the cartons are recollapsed oppositely to their original collapsed condition, the recollapsing means preferably being constructed and associated with the pockets as follows. Bolted or otherwise suitably secure on the frame is a bracket 118 over which the pockets 58 travel successively after they have been likewise supplied with cartons by the above described feeding mechanism. This bracket 118 has fixed on the vertical arm thereof, one or more recollapsing elements 119 extending into the path of travel of the pockets and arranged to permit the parts 59, 60 thereof to pass without obstruction. The elements or fingers 119 extend angularly across the path of travel of the pockets, and have rearwardly extending, angularly bent portions that engage the cartons in the pockets and recollapse them therein.

In order to provide for recollapsin of the cartons While supported in the poo ets, one side of each pocket is opened as the car ton is recollapsed therein. The opposite side of the pocket,herein illustrated as comprised by the parts '59, is retained in closed position by the spring 64 and the roller 67 that engages the guide 73. When'a carton engages the recollapsing elements 119 and starts to collapse, the roller 69 carried by the arm 68 of the carton carrying pocket engages a cam 121. This cam is mounted on brackets 122 bolter or otherwise suitably secured to the frame 45, and acts through the roller 69 and arm 68 to progressively open the pocket parts 60 as the carton is progressively collapsed or recollapsed in the pocket carrying the same. During collapsing of the carton, however, it continues to be supported by the parts 59, 60 which, at this time, engage diagonally opposite corners of the carton.to prevent displacement thereof from the pocket. The cam 121 is so formed, that when the carton has been completely collapsed, the roller 69 is disengaged from said cam, whereupon the spring 65 of the carton supporting pocket will close the parts 60 thereof and reopen the carton in conjunction with the closed pocket parts 59. It will thus appear, that cartons supported in pockets 58 are successively recollapsed as the pockets travel successively past the recollapsing means.

Each pocket 58, after traveling past the collapsing means, carries the carton in proximity to a, transporting means herein disclosed as the conveyor of the carton sealing machine. In accordance with the present inventlon, the cartons are successively transferred from the pockets to said conveyor or other means for transporting the cartons, and the transferring means, which may be of any suitable construction, is herein'disclosed as comprised and operated by thefollowing instrumentalities. I H

The parts 60 of the pockets are provided rearwardly thereof with suitable bosses 58 in which are arranged to reciprocate rods 123 that are prevented from rotating in said bosses by any suitable means forthis purpose. These rods carry springs 124 which are interposed between the top bosses 58 and arms 125 fixed on the upper ends of said rods. The arms 125 have secured to or formed integrally therewith downwardly depending rods 126 on the lower ends of which are secured strippers 127 The springs 123 normally tend to hold the rods 124 and parts carried thereby above the pockets 58.

The rods 124 are provided on their lower ends with rollers 129 adapted to be successively engaged with and under an inclined cam 130 secured in any suitable manner on the machine framework. This cam acts to successively move the rods 124 and parts carried thereby, downwardly so that the strippers 127 successively transfer the cartons from the pockets 58 onto the successive elements 40 of the carton sealing machine. The rollers 129, when successively disengaged from the cam .180, are likewise lifted with the rods 124 and the strippers 127, by th action of the springs 124.

The operation of the machine will be clearly understood from the foregoing and may be briefly summarized as follows. Collapsed cartons of the stack 91 are separated and advanced by the knife 78 between the guide elements 79, 80 which open said cartons. The open cartons are delivered by the knife 7 8 into the pockets 58 which are previously opened by the 'cams 74, 75 to receive the cartons, and thereafter closed by the springs 64 to grip and support the cartons. The

pockets 58, with cartons supported therein, travel past the recollapsing elements 119, the pockets being opened and the cartons being collapsed therein, as previously described,

and said pockets thereafter being closed to reopen the cartons therein. Cartons in pockets travelling past the carton sealing machine are, as before'pointed out, successively transferred from said pockets onto the successive elements 40 of the carton sealing ma chine, by the strippers 127.

The above description and accompanying drawings disclose with more or less particularly one embodiment of the present invention. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the embodiment herein disclosed, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supporting a supply of cartons, a plurality of continuously travelling pockets successively adapted to receive cartons from said supply, and a movable knife adapted to enter success1ve cartons of the supply and deliver them successively therefrom into said pockets.

2 In an apparatus of the character descrlbed, the combination of means for supporting a supply of cartons, a plurality of movable pockets successively adapted to rec e1ve cartons from said supply, and a continuously travelling knife movable along a closed path and adapted to enter successive cartons of the supply and deliver them successively therefrom into said pockets.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supporting a supply of cartons, a plurality of continuously moving pockets successively adapted to receive cartons from said supply, and a continuously travelling knife movable along a closed path and adapted to enter successive cartons of the supply and separate and deliver them successively therefrom into said pockets.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supporting a supply of collapsed cartons, a plurality of continuously moving pockets successively adapted to receive cartons from said supply, and a continuously travelling knife movable along a closed path and adapted to enter successive collapsed cartons of the supply and deliver them successively therefrom in open condition into said pockets.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, means for supporting and feeding a supply of collapsed cartons, a continuously driven endless element provided at intervals therealong with pockets successively adapted to receive cartonsfrom said supply, and a movable knife adapted to enter successive collapsed cartons of the supply and separate and deliver them successively therefrom in open condition into said pockets.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a supply of collapsed cartons, means for separating and opening successive cartons of said supply, a

recollapsing device, and a plurality of pocket relatively movable to provide for col-- lapsing and reopening of the carton therein.

10. In an apparatus of the'character described, a movable pocket adapted to receive and support an open carton, one or more .elements angularly related to and disposed openin in the path of travel of the carton supported in said pocket, and means for moving the pocket past said element or elements to engage the carton with the latter and thereby collapse said carton in' the pocket.

11. Inan apparatus of the character described, a movable pocket adapted to receive and support an open carton, means for collapsing the carton While it is supported in the pocket, means for moving the pocket past the collapsing means to engage the carton with the latter and thereby collapse said carton in said pocket, means forming opposed movable carton supporting parts of the pocket, means for preventing openingmovement of the part or parts at one side of the pocket, means for opening the part or parts at the opposite side of the pocket to provide for collapsing of the carton therein, and means for thereafter closing the last named part or parts of the pocket to reopen-the carton therein.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, a carton collapsing device, a carton carrying pocket movable past the collapsing device to engage the carton with the latter and thereby collapse said carton in said pocket, means forming opposed movable carton supporting parts ofthe pocket adapted to be successively opened and closed to receive the carton and to providefor collapsing and reopening of the same respectively in the pocket, s ring means normally closing the oppose parts of the pocket, and cam means for said parts successively. 13. n an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supportin a supply of cartons, a plurality of movab e pockets successively adapted to receive cartons from said supply, a movable knife adapted to enter successive cartons of the supply and deliver them successively therefrom into said pockets, a conveyor, and meansfor successively transferring the cartons from the pockets onto said conveyor.

14, In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of means for supporting a supply of cartons, a plurality of continuously movable pockets successively adapted to receive cartons from said supply, a knife movable along a closed path and adapted to enter successive cartons of the supply and deliver them successively therefrom into said pockets, a conveyor, and means for successively transferring the cartons from the pockets onto said conveyor.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supporting asupply of cartons, a plurality of pockets continuously moving along a closed path and adapted to successively receive cartons from said supply, a knife movable along a closed path and adapted to enter successive cartons of the supply and deliver them successively therefrom into said pockets, a continuously moving conveyor, and means for successively transferring the cartons from the pockets onto said continuously moving conveyor.

16. In an apparatus. of the character described, the combination of a conveyor, a carton collapsing device, a movable pocket for carrying an open carton to the conveyor and travelling past said device to engage the carton with the latter and thereby collapse said carton in said pocket, means for reopening the carton in the pocket, and means for trans ferring the reopened carton onto said conveyor.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a conveyor, a carton collapsing device, a movable pocket for carrying an open carton to the conveyor and travelling past said device to engage the carton with the latter and thereby collapse said carton in said pocket, means forming opposed carton supporting parts of the pocket relatively movable to receive the carton and provide for collapsing and reopening of said carton in the pocket, and means for transferring the reopened carton from the pocket onto said conveyor.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, a conveyor, a carton collapsing device, a movable pocket for carrying an open carton past said device to the conveyor, means formin opposed movable carton supporting parts 0 said pocket adapted to be successively opened and closed whereby the carton may be inserted, gripped, collapsed, and reopened in the pocket, and means for transferring the reopened carton from the pocket onto said conveyor.

19. In an apparatus of the character described. the combination of a carton feeder, means for separating and opening collapsed cartons successively supplied from a pack thereof on said feeder and including a knife arranged to travel in a closed path and adapted to enter a collapsed carton of said pack and deliver said carton therefrom in open i collapsed carton of said pack and deliver said carton therefrom in open condition, and a plurality of pockets continuously movable one after another along a closed path and each adapted to receive and support a carton separated from the pack and opened by said means.

21. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a carton feeder, means for separating andopening collapsed cartons successively supplied from a pack thereof on said feeder and including a knife arranged to travel in a closed path and adapted in each cycle of its operation to enter a collapsed carton of the pack and deliver said carton therefrom in open condition, a conveyor arranged in spaced relation with said feeder, an endless driven chain arranged between the feeder and the conveyor, pockets secured to the chain at intervals along the same and adapted to receive and support cartons separated from the pack and opened by said means, and means for transferring the cartons successively from the pockets onto said conveyor.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supportinga pack of collapsed cartons, a knife arranged to travel in a closed path and adapted to enter the successive cartons of the pack and separate and deliver them therefrom in open condition, a continuously driven chain or belt having its reaches all disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, and a plurality of carton supporting pockets secured to said chain or belt at intervals along the same and adapted to successively receive open cartons delivered therein by said knife.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supporting a pack of collapsed cartons, a knife arranged to travel in a closed path and adapted to enter successive cartons of the pack and separate and deliver them therefrom in open condition, means for transporting the open cartons from the pack supporting means and comprising a substarftially triangular carrier including a plurality of carton supporting pockets into which the cartons are delivered successively by said knife, a conveyor, and means for transferring the cartons from said pockets to said conveyor.

24. Inan apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supporting a pack of collapsedcartons, a knife arranged to travel in a closed path and adapted to enter successive cartons of the pack and separate and deliver them therefrom in open condition, carton transporting means (11's ranged in spaced relation with the pack supporting means and the knife, a substantial- 1y triangular carrier including a plurality of pockets adapted successively to receive cartons delivered therein by said knife and to carry said cartons to said transporting means, I

and means for successively transferring the cartons from said pockets to successive elements of the transporting means.

25. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supporting a pack of collapsed cartons, a knife arranged to travel in a closed path and adapted to enter successive cartons of the pack and separate and deliver them therefrom in open condition, carton transporting means arranged in spaced relation with the pack supporting means and the knife, a substantially triangular carrier chain or belt having all of its reaches disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and extending between the pack supporting means and the carton transporting means, a plurality of pockets'secured to the carrier chain or belt at intervals along the same and each adapted to receive and support an open carton delivered therein by said knife, and means for transferring the open cartons successively from said pockets onto successive elements of said transporting means.

26. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supporting a pack of collapsed cartons, a knife arranged to travel in a closed path and adapted in each cycle of its operation to enter a carton of the pack and deliver said carton therefrom in open condition, carton transporting means extending in spaced relation with the pack supporting means and the knife, an endless driven chain or belt having all of its reaches disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and extending between the I to travel in a closed path and adapted in.

each cycle of its operation to enter a carton of the supply and separate and deliver said carton therefrom, carton transporting means arranged in spaced relation with said supporting means and the knife, a conveyor driven from the carton transporting means and extending between the latter and the knife, a plurality of pockets secured to the conveyor at intervals along the same and each adapted to receive and support a carton separated and delivered from said supply by said knife, and means for successively transfer- 29. In an apparatus of the character de-,

scribed, the combination of means for supporting a pack of collapsed cartons, a knife arranged to travel along a closed path and adapted to enter a collapsed carton of the pack and deliver said carton therefrom in open condition, carton recollapsing means arranged in spaced relation with the pack supporting means and the knife, 2. pocket into which thelopen carton is delivered, and means for moving the pocket past the carton recollapsing means to engage the carton with the latter to thereby recollapse said carton'in said pocket.

30. In anv apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for supporting a supply of cartons, a knife arranged to travel in a closed path and adapted to enter a carton of the supply and separate and deliver said carton therefrom, a conveyor arranged in spaced relation with said supporting means and the knife, a pocket adapted to receive and support said carton, means for. moving the pocket along a closed path between the knife and the conveyor,.and means for transferring the carton from said pocket onto said conveyor.

31. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a knife arranged to travel in a closed path and adapted to 'enter a carton in a supply thereof and separate and deliver said carton therefrom, a conveyor arranged in' spaced relation with the knife, a pocket into which said carton is delivered by the knife, means for movin the pocket along a closed path between the nife and the conveyor, and means for transferring the carton from said pocket onto said conveyor.

32. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of a continuously moving knife arranged to travel along a closed path and adapted t enter a collapsed carton of a pack and separate and deliver said carton therefrom in open condition, 9.

ferring the carton from the pocket onto saidconveyor.

33. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a knife movable along a closed path and adapted to enter a carton in a supply thereof and separate and deliver said carton therefrom, a continuously moving pocket travelling in a closed path past the knife and into which the carton is delivered by the latter, a conveyor past which the pocketalso travels, andmeans for'transferring the carton from the pocket onto said conveyor.

34. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a knife movable along a closed path and adapted to enter a carton in a supply thereof and separate and deliver said carton therefrom, a pocket movable along a closed path past the knife and into which the carton is delivered by, the latter, a continuously moving device past which the pocket also travels, and means for transferring the carton-from said pocket onto said continuously moving device.

35. In an apparatus of the character described, means for separating and opening a collapsed carton supplied from a pack thereof and including a knife movable along a closed path and adapted to enter the collapsed carton in the pack and deliver said carton therefrom in open condition, and a pocket continuously movable along a closed path past the knife and into which the open carton is delivered by said knife.

36. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a carton feeder,

means for separating and opening collapsed cartons successively supplied from a pack thereof on said feeder and including a knife movable along a closed path and adapted to enter successive cartons of the pack and deliver them therefrom in open condition, carton transporting means arranged in spaced relation with the knife, a plurality pf movable pockets into which the open cartons are successively delivered by the knife, means for moving the pockets along a closed path between the knife and the carton transporting means, and means for transferring the cartons from said pockets onto-said 'carton transporting means.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification. L 7

CHARLES F. RICHARD. 

